Chapter 14 - The Box

                                        

                                              
The Box
                              
Ron and Hermione looked stunned when Harry sat down next to them without their encouragement. Ron eagerly passed some food to him. He was not sure exactly what to say, but he knew where to start. He was about to take a bite of his sandwich, but put it down. 
                              
"Sorry, I've been avoiding you guys. I know it hasn't been easy dealing with it. I just needed some time alone," he said, carefully.
                              
"It's alright, Harry. We've just been worried about you," Hermione said, trying not to show how happy she was.
                              
"Yeah, so, when's next practice?" Harry said and spent the entire afternoon talking about new Quidditch moves with Ron. Hermione was shaking her head the whole time, muttering Quidditch.
                              
The next few weeks were uplifting, since the holidays were almost here. Harry started spending day with Ron and Hermione. Quidditch was beginning to be as exciting as before and Harry's mood was better. He enjoyed being with Ron again. Occasionally, he drifted back into his depressing mood, but he stayed with his friends. 
                              
The downside was that Hermione insisted that they do their homework. His grades began to slightly improve, but he still was not showing any interest in his classes. He kept to himself and did not really try hard. Ron and Hermione had not mentioned Sirius or his dreams, yet. He was still trying to figure out how to open his mother's box, which he carried with him in case he got inspired. However, it never happened. Whenever they went to the library, Harry would look through the books and avoiding questions as to what he was looking for. He did not have much progress, and he noticed Malfoy sulking around in there one time, but he ignored it. 
                              
When they visited Hogsmeade the last weekend before break, they went to the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer, and Ron finally decided to ask him about Christmas. Usually, they stayed at school, because he didn't want to go back to the Dursleys'. Last year, they had gone to Grimmauld Place, Sirius's house. 
                              
"So, do you want to come back to my house for Christmas?" Ron asked, still acting cautiously around Harry.
                              
"I don't know, maybe I should stay here," Harry said, though immediately expecting an argument.
                              
"Why?" Hermione said, a little cross and less wary than Ron asked.
                              
Harry did not know what to say, but he remembered how cheerful Sirius had gotten when they came to visit at Christmas. He didn't really want to fake enthusiasm by going back to the Burrow. However, Ron either got encouraged by Hermione's attitude or feared it, because he took the offensive. 
                              
"Well, mum says she'll come up to the school to get you, if you don't come. Come on, mate. Hermione's coming," Ron said, with a little force.
                              
"Why are you going to be there?" Harry asked Hermione, trying to sidetrack them.
                              
"I... decided to spend some time... with... you guys..." Hermione said, turning slightly red, and glancing at Ron and then back at Harry.
                              
"What about your parents?" he asked.
                              
"If I wasn't going to Ron's, I would have just stayed here, but this isn't about me. Are you going to come or not?" Hermione asked, shortly.
                              
"Come on, Harry! It'll be fun! Fred and George will be there and Bill and Charlie will probably stop by, too. And...." Ron said, eagerly.
                              
"Alright! I'll come. Ok. Calm down," he said grudgingly, not completely regretting his decision. Maybe it would do him some good.
                              
"Ok, I'll tell mum," Ron said, grinning.
                              
"Great, Harry. It'll be fun," Hermione said, supportively.
                              
"Yeah, can't wait till she sees me," he said, sarcastically as he was still very thin and had a slight limp, too.